Ariège (river)
{{short description|River in France and Andorra}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Ariège
| image = N20-ariège2.jpg
| image_caption = The Ariège near Ax-les-Thermes
| map = Ariège.png
| source1_location = Pyrenees
| mouth_location = Garonne
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|43|31|2|N|1|24|36|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| progression = {{RGaronne}}
| subdivision_type1 = Countries
| subdivision_name1 = {{hlist|France|Andorra}}
| length = {{convert|163|km|abbr=on}}
| source1_elevation = ± {{convert|2400|m|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|65|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| basin_size = {{convert|3,860|km2|abbr=on}}
}}
The Ariège ({{IPA|fr|aʁjɛʒ|-|LL-Q150 (fra)-GrandCelinien-Ariège.wav}}; {{langx|oc|Arièja}}; {{langx|ca|Arieja}}) is a river in southern France and Andorra. It is a right tributary of the Garonne. From its source in the Pyrenees near El Pas de la Casa, the river flows north, forming part of the border with Andorra. It flows for about {{cvt|163|km}} and drains approximately {{cvt|4200|km2}} of mainly mountainous terrain. The river is managed by the authority of the Agence de l’eau Adour-Garonne, to preserve the water quality, ensure ecological continuity, and regulate hydropower use.
Course
The river emerges at the base of Puy-Nègre in the Pyrenees at an altitude of {{cvt|2400|m}} in Southern France near the Andorran border.{{cite web|url=https://www.senat.fr/rap/l14-160/l14-1603.html|title=Ariege|work=Sénat rapport Andorre‑France|access-date=17 June 2025}} It flows northwards through Ax-les-Thermes, Foix, Pamiers, Cintegabelle.{{cite web|url=https://adour-garonne.eaufrance.fr/coursdeau/O1--0250|title=Coursdeau|work=Agence de l’eau Adour‑Garonne|access-date=17 June 2025}} It flows into the Garonne in Portet-sur-Garonne, south of Toulouse. Its longest tributaries are the Hers-Vif and the Lèze.{{sandre|id=O1--0250|nom=L'Ariège}}
Hydrology
The river has a watershed region that extends from Portet to the Pyrenees, covering {{cvt|4200|km2}}. The flow is about {{cvt|40|m/s}} measured downstream at Foix and increases downstream. Cold snowmelt and rainfall in spring causes increased flow with flood risk during autumn's heavy rains, and low flows in summer and winter. The river supports migratory and mountain fish species. The river is managed by the authority of the Agence de l’eau Adour-Garonne, to preserve the water quality, ensure ecological continuity, and regulate hydropower use.{{cite web|url=https://adour-garonne.eaufrance.fr/massedeau/FRFR166|title=État écologique & objectifs SDAGE 2022–2027|work=Agence de l’eau Adour‑Garonne|access-date=17 June 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.senat.fr/rap/l14-160/l14-1603.html|title=Barrage, débit réservé et continuité écologique|work=Sénat rapport Andorre‑France|access-date=17 June 2025}} Kayaking, fly-fishing, and mountain tourism are popular with water regulation preserving flow levels for recreation.{{cite web|url=https://eaugrandsudouest.fr/agence-eau/bassins-territoires/bassin-adour-garonne|title=Loisirs liés à la qualité de l’eau|work=Agence de l’eau Adour‑Garonne|access-date=17 June 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.merlet.eu/lab/hydro/tls/ History and real-time water heights of Ariege river, Garonne river, and other tributaries]
{{Commons category|Ariège River}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ariege}}
Category:International rivers of Europe
Category:Rivers of Ariège (department)
Category:Rivers of Haute-Garonne
Category:Andorra–France border